Cinemazero: Inclusion and Communication Manifesto
Cinemazero has always been committed to promoting responsible and inclusive communication, recognizing the crucial impact that words have on society and the local community. Our mission is to build environments where every person feels respected and represented.
Through this manifesto, we wish to share the principles and practices that guide us toward respectful and broad communication. Our goal is to create a dialogue—with individuals, our audience, associations, and local organizations—that reflects the values of equality and respect. Our primary horizon is to construct a communicative environment where everyone feels represented and respected, acknowledging that this process may lead to mistakes from which we can learn.
This document is the result of a training program involving the entire staff of Cinemazero. The process was led by Manuela Manera, a linguist and expert in gender studies. We are certain that the work done so far does not end with this manifesto; it is a necessary part of a journey we are undertaking alongside our audience. We apologize in advance if we occasionally make involuntary errors.
We ask for your support and companionship in this process: if you wish to contribute to the improvement of our communication, we invite you to share suggestions and feedback by writing to cinemazero@cinemazero.it.
[CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MANIFESTO]
COMMUNICATION
Our communication is designed to be broad, inclusive, and respectful. We commit to:
- Ensuring inclusive and non-discriminatory language, including the revision of documents or communications that do not meet this standard.
- Using images that avoid stereotypes, ensuring the broadest possible representation of society.
- Applying various linguistic strategies to build communication that is more inclusive and respectful of all people (we will use neutral forms, masculine and feminine, and, when necessary, the schwa or other evolving forms).
- Providing specific content warnings in theaters before a film for potentially traumatic content, offering support for anyone who may feel distressed.
- Avoiding words and terminology associated with colonial or racializing contexts.
SPACES
Our spaces are designed to be accessible and safe. We commit to:
- Guaranteeing accessible restrooms without gender distinction.
- Providing screenings for the D/deaf, hard of hearing, and visually impaired.
- Offering adequate and well-signposted spaces for the public (e.g., elevators for people with disabilities or clear directions for specific needs).
- Facilitating access for people with disabilities, pregnant individuals, or those with specific requirements.
- Ensuring complimentary admission for people with disabilities and reduced-price tickets for their companions.
- Setting up “Baby Pit Stop” areas for breastfeeding and childcare in a welcoming and safe environment.
PEOPLE AND RELATIONSHIPS
Cinemazero is committed to creating respectful and broad relationships, valuing each person’s uniqueness and seeing differences as an enrichment rather than an obstacle. We commit to:
- Allowing anyone to indicate their preferred pronouns (on badges and email signatures).
- Welcoming people into our spaces inclusively by removing gender requirements from our forms and permitting the use of chosen names.
- Ensuring that our employees and collaborators can express themselves freely and feel they are in a safe environment.
- Maintaining an open and constant dialogue with local social promotion associations.
- Offering practical welcoming measures for people in vulnerable situations.
- Organizing events and discussions to reflect on changing narratives and themes of inclusivity.
ANTI-VIOLENCE
Cinemazero supports the fight against violence of any kind and in all its forms. We commit to:
- Distributing informative material on this topic in our theaters, media libraries, and during events.
- Providing information about and collaborating with associations dedicated to supporting victims of violence (particularly women or individuals in vulnerable contexts).
- Providing information on safe, well-lit routes near the cinema to encourage the safe enjoyment of cultural venues.
Cinemazero—all of us—will strive, as we always have, to promote the principles and best practices outlined in this manifesto. We believe a manifesto is vital to remind us of our role as cultural operators, honoring our profession through a concrete example of broad and real hospitality.
We hope that other cultural organizations may draw inspiration from this manifesto—even copying it freely if found valuable—or, if they are already more experienced, provide us with support to improve our journey. We believe everyone can be instrumental in creating a more inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for all who pass through it.
Therefore, as Cinemazero, supported by an audience of hundreds of thousands, we will do our best to ensure this path and this manifesto are as widely known as possible.
For any feedback or suggestions: cinemazero@cinemazero.it